Strata-gee.com

Strategy in TECH...

You are here: Home / Archives for Brands

Brands

Just Days Away, CES Can’t Catch a Break as More Major Exhibitors Pull Out

by Leave a Comment

CES in the past

Google, Microsoft, GM, Intel, and more Join the Exodus from CES

UPDATED 12/30/2021 – Scroll down for update – I reported last week that several major exhibitors, including one major event sponsor whose CEO was scheduled as a keynote presenter, had announced they would be pulling out of CES due to the meteoric rise in COVID infections resulting from the Omicron variant. Now we learn even more major exhibitors have decided to join the increasing line of brands heading for the exits from the industry’s largest tech event of the year.

See who else is out of CES now…

[Read more…] about Just Days Away, CES Can’t Catch a Break as More Major Exhibitors Pull Out

Bowers & Wilkins Partners with China’s Formovie for Integrated Movie Package

by Leave a Comment

Living room setting with Formovie T1 featuring audio by Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) announced today that they have partnered with Chinese laser projector brand Formovie to create an all-in-one solution that redefines home-theater-in-a-box. The partners are creating a dynamic combination of ultra-short throw high quality laser projector with loudspeakers built-in for a compact total A/V solution.

Learn more about the new Formovie T1 with Bowers & Wilkins inside

[Read more…] about Bowers & Wilkins Partners with China’s Formovie for Integrated Movie Package

Amazon Music Unlimited Now Available on AURALiC Streaming Models

by Leave a Comment

AURALiC Vega G2.1 streaming DAC

Specialty audio maker AURALiC, Inc. announced today that it has partnered with Amazon to offer Amazon Music Unlimited on all streaming products. A dramatic announcement that brings literally millions of songs to AURALiC end users.

Learn more about Amazon Music Unlimited and AURALiC

[Read more…] about Amazon Music Unlimited Now Available on AURALiC Streaming Models

Part 2 of Strata-gee Interview with New Crestron CEO Dan Feldstein

by Leave a Comment

Photo of Dan Feldstein, new CEO of Crestron

Supply Chain, CEO Role, Going Public, a Better Partner

Last week I wrote about my opportunity to attend the inaugural Creston Next Road Trip in Boston in November. One of the most interesting parts of that experience was having the opportunity to interview new Crestron CEO Dan Feldstein. Crestron, one of the biggest players in the custom integration game, was founded by Dan’s father, George Feldstein (who passed away in 2014) and I was interested in learning more about how the new CEO saw the world and his top priorities and opportunities for the company.

In this Part 2 of that interview, we learn how the company is dealing with the industry-bedeviling supply chain issues, why it will never go public, how Dan views the CEO’s role, and how the company seeks to be a better business partner.

See Part 2 of my interview with Crestron CEO Dan Feldstein

[Read more…] about Part 2 of Strata-gee Interview with New Crestron CEO Dan Feldstein

Branding Lesson: Surprise Kit Kat Tweet Praises Twix; What Happens Next?

by Leave a Comment

Nestle Kit Kat logo used as part of a branding study

The conventional wisdom of branding says that you never mention your competitors in your marketing – it only serves to promote them. Less professional companies have sales and marketing teams that go one step further by publicly or privately criticizing their competitors!

Which is better? Complement or criticize your competitors? New research holds what might be a surprising answer!

Should you be naughty or nice to competitors? Read on…

[Read more…] about Branding Lesson: Surprise Kit Kat Tweet Praises Twix; What Happens Next?

Kaleidescape & Stewart Filmscreen Partner to Deliver Performance and a Discount

by Leave a Comment

Kaleidescape & Stewart Filmscreen partner on a new promotion

Two power players in the high performance home cinema game – media server specialist Kaleidescape and screen expert Stewart Filmscreen – have partnered to deliver a better “seamless screening experience.” And in the process, the partnership will result in a limited-time offer to buyers for a $1,000 discount off the MSRP of qualifying Kaleidescape products.

See more on this partnership and promotional discount

[Read more…] about Kaleidescape & Stewart Filmscreen Partner to Deliver Performance and a Discount

Snap One Continues Local In-Market Expansion; Adds New Florida ‘Store’

by Leave a Comment

snap one partner store logo

Snap One announced this week that it has opened another “Partner Store” – a locally based warehouse location – that carries its products as well as other brands and offers support and training for area integrators. This new location opened in Hollywood, Florida, and – interestingly – is being operated by their Allnet branch.

See more on the continued expansion of Snap One

[Read more…] about Snap One Continues Local In-Market Expansion; Adds New Florida ‘Store’

First-Ever ‘Inside Sound United’ Virtual Event is Next Week; Register Today

by Leave a Comment

Inside Sound United graphic

Major industry player Sound United is on the cusp of launching its first-ever virtual event called, appropriately enough, “Inside Sound United” (ISU). Coming November 9-12, 2021 to a computer near you, this highly immersive 4-day virtual event will be chock full of useful content and allow integrators to experience a side of the company not usually seen.

See more on ‘Inside Sound United’ virtual 4-day event

[Read more…] about First-Ever ‘Inside Sound United’ Virtual Event is Next Week; Register Today

New Vanco Introduction Powers Up Your Assortment, Client Satisfaction & Profits

by Leave a Comment

I recently became aware of the fact that Vanco, the Chicago-based manufacturer of a broad range of mostly accessory products had decided to become a master distributor for a product category that we all need, we all use, and yet to which we pay little attention. It is in this reality, Vanco’s President Mark Corbin tells me, that there lies a tremendous opportunity to better serve our customers and to add meaningful profit to our financials.

See this Vanco solution…

[Read more…] about New Vanco Introduction Powers Up Your Assortment, Client Satisfaction & Profits

UEI Earns Wide National News Coverage for All the Wrong Reasons

by 2 Comments

UEI screenshot with logo

Allegations of Conspiring With China’s Gov’t to Use Uyghurs in a Forced Labor Arrangement

In a rare show of bipartisanship, a group of U.S. Senators has sent a strongly worded letter to a leading consumer electronics industry remote control maker Universal Electronics, Inc. (UEI) launching a probe into the company’s hiring practices in China. Unique to UEI is that they own their own factories in China (most contract with existing China OEM factories) and a recent damning investigation by Reuters alleges the company is working with the Chinese government to utilize a widely persecuted Uyghur minority in a forced labor arrangement, a human rights violation. UEI has denied the accusation but so far has not provided data to back up their denial.

See more on the UEI labor situation in China

[Read more…] about UEI Earns Wide National News Coverage for All the Wrong Reasons